Fulham First XI

Thursday 29 August 2013 10:00

Fulham captain Brede Hangeland is the first of the current crop to discuss his footballing beginnings in this week’s Fulham First XI.

First professional match attended

I don’t remember the score but it would have been Viking, my team from back home in Stavanger in Norway. I went with my dad in the mid-80s but they were the best local team so it was natural for me to go along as my first match.

First club supported

I grew up at the same club from when I was six years old, FK Vidar, so that was my first true love in football.

First boots

I remember when I bought a ‘very expensive’ pair of boots my mother wasn’t happy. They were Diadora ones and they cost about £35 at the time, which seemed like a fortune so she wasn’t pleased about it. I had to buy them myself though.

First club joined

FK Vidar was the first one and I started life there from the age of six. I stayed throughout my childhood until I was 19 and they taught me most of what I know.

First manager

Kjell Inge Olsen was my manager at Vidar and later at Viking, so he played a big role in my development and was really good for my career.

First position

I started off as a midfielder, a defensive midfielder, up until I was about 17 or 18. My manager at the time just told me to go back into defence and I didn’t want to argue so I’ve been playing there ever since.

First match for Fulham

Bolton Wanderers away in January 2008 – it was a goalless draw and probably not the most interesting match but I remember it well and of course I was pleased that we were able to keep a clean sheet too.

First goal

The first one of my professional career was playing for Viking and came against a team called Vålerenga; I scored a header from a corner kick. I couldn’t believe it when it went in, but of course it would have come from a set-piece!

First card

Yellow is difficult, even though there haven’t been that many, but red is easy to remember because I’ve only ever had one: at home to Sunderland last year.

First shirt number

I think it was the number 15 when I started my career and of course I was 32 when I joined Fulham but now I play in number five – the same as I do for Norway. Shirt numbers have never really been that important to me though.

First football hero

Italian centre-back Franco Baresi. He was so chilled and seemed to have no stress when he defended – he would just cruise around in the sweeper role and sweep up everything. He had real class.